Imagine talking like people did during the Renaissance, or in the 1800s. If you’ve read documents or heard how people spoke then, it’s pretty hard to understand compared to today’s speech, right?

Formal vs Informal Speech

Most textbooks and classrooms teach formal speech. We use certain language when writing letters, addressing people older/younger, for certain occasions like weddings. Slang is used in informal speech, and it’s very informal. I found a great post here that gives more information about it. The web page gives some good activities to try with students and discussion points. It also has a matching activity of the slang words to their appropriate meaning.

Over time humans have simplified some words, changed other words, and taken out words altogether. Slang is created when words are either used to create new meaning, or a new word is made up to convey meaning where other words don’t suffice. Whether language is descriptive or prescriptive, slang words and phrases help simply language and make it more effective communication.

Then again, if you use slang and someone doesn’t know what it means, then you’ve failed at communicating clearly. So, it’s important that all parties know and understand the words and context in which they’re used, to convey meaning simply and effectively.

It’s important to explain when slang is okay to use, and when it’s not. Classrooms, for example, are typically not appropriate places for using slang (with exception). Would you greet your teacher/instructor with, “Yo dawg! What’s up? How’s it hanging?”, I wouldn’t think so. Likewise you should instruct your students to address certain people such as teachers, doctors, parents, etc., formally as opposed to when they are with their friends.

Teaching Slang in the ESL Classroom

Busy Teacher has an article about teaching slang words, which you can read here. Using slang can get your students’ attention quickly as they probably don’t know what you’re saying.

By teaching slang you can:

expand their vocabulary to include more idioms and phrasal verbs

expose your students to other forms of speech seen in media

help your students to become more comfortable with general conversation

help your students develop speaking fluency and listening comprehension

help your students develop a more natural speaking tone and greater expression

The New York Times also has a lesson plan for teaching slang. It includes a warm-up, main activity, and follow-up discussion questions.

A Few Tips for Teaching Slang to ESL Students

Put up some slang words on the board and then quiz your students to see if they can guess the meaning

Have students converse in pairs using sentences with slang on cue cards

Show a news article, YouTube clip, or reality TV clip with people using slang, and discuss the meaning of the words

Have students share any slang they know in their native language and what those mean

Have students create their own slang words with meanings, and use them in conversation

*Make sure the words and meanings are appropriate for your students’ age and ability levels.